What to Do When a Screw Punctures the Tire?

[GeorgeFitz]

Here are the steps to handle a screw puncturing the tire: 1. Pull over: Don't panic when encountering this situation. After feeling the car run over a screw, pull over immediately, turn on the hazard lights, and place a safety warning sign behind the car. 2. Check the tire: Do not remove the screw by yourself, as car tires are generally tubeless, and punctures may not cause immediate air leakage, allowing you to drive to a repair shop. However, if you pull it out yourself, the tire will deflate instantly, requiring you to either replace it with a spare tire or contact a 4S shop for repair. First, check whether the tire is leaking air after the puncture. Spray some soapy water on the punctured area to see if bubbles form. If bubbles appear, it indicates air leakage; otherwise, there is no leakage. (1) No air leakage after puncture: Even if there is no air leakage upon inspection, it doesn't mean no action is needed. There might still be minor leakage, and the car can be driven, but at a very slow speed to avoid a blowout on the highway. Drive slowly to the nearest repair shop. (2) Air leakage after puncture: Air leakage can be divided into two scenarios. One is slow leakage after the puncture, in which case you must drive very carefully to avoid high speeds and find a nearby repair shop. If you're on a highway, do not drive and seek roadside assistance instead. If the leakage is severe, do not continue driving, as it could damage the vehicle and cause a traffic accident. Wait for assistance on the spot.

[OKingston]

Last time I encountered a screw puncturing my tire, I immediately stopped in a safe place to check the tire condition. First, I used my phone's flashlight to observe the nail's position—don't rush to pull it out because removing it might cause faster air leakage. I took out the tire pressure gauge from the trunk to check the pressure. If the reading is normal, you can still drive within 20 kilometers to a nearby repair shop for a patch, but remember not to exceed 60 km/h, or it might easily lead to a blowout. If the air leakage is severe, changing to the spare tire is the safest option. I recommend always keeping emergency tools like a jack and an air pump in your car—they can really be lifesavers when driving. During regular maintenance, ask the mechanic to check tire wear and replace aging ones, as tires are directly related to driving safety and should never be neglected.